Entrepreneurial success - Cath Kidston bucks the recession

A neat entrepreneurial success story that will appeal to the female business students who are fans of specialist retailer Cath Kidston.  An initial investment of £15,000 has turned into a stake worth around £25 million.  Not a bad ROI.  Lots of good stuff in this interview article for students wanting an example of niche business which has grown strongly despite the recession - and still lots of growth opportunities to exploit.

Revision Presentation - Enterprise Skills

In this revision presentation, we outline the key skills demonstrated by successful entrepreneurs.

Launch revision presentation on enterprise skills

AQA AS - Unit 1 - Starting a business - The BMX Box

His Lordship has just returned from his Summer recess and on his return discovered a most excellent resource.

This article appeared in my local newspaper that covers large chunks of the new specification.

Former welder, Lee Southern has turned his back on a twenty year welding career to setup the ‘BMX Box’. Lee said that “My previous job took me all over Europe, but after 20 years I had just had enough. I decided it was time to focus my attention on something I enjoy, and for me enjoyment means biking.”

3 months in and sales have exceeded all expectations so well done to Lee.

Yes, there are thousands of articles around covering this topic, but what I like about this one is that BMX’s are actually something that Year 12 students can relate to. It also covers key topics such as motives for setting up a business, sales forecasting and budgets, gaps in the maket, government support as well as market research (his idea was backed up by the number of BMX’s on his drive from his children’s friends’). All in all, an excellent summary article.

Enjoy!

(You could also show the students the opening scenes from 80’s classic, BMX Bandits starring a very young, Nicole Kidman.)

A booming rental market – for car parking spaces

It’s enterprising, practical and meeting a need for both buyers and sellers: increasing numbers of homeowners are renting out their driveways and garages to commuters who are fed up with overpriced and crowded car parks.  There’s an interesting article and video clip about firms springing up to link frustrated drivers with parking landlords. 

Q&A - What are the characteristics of successful entrepreneurs?

Much research has been done to examine the personality and other characteristics of successful entrepreneurs to see if there is a proven method or route to success.  You will find many lists of “what is takes to be an entrepreneur”, but they tend to say similar things.  So here is a summary of the key findings!

Rachel Bridge to Speak at Business Teacher National Conference 2009

I’m delighted to announce that Rachel Bridge, Enterprise Editor of The Sunday Times, has kindly agreed to speak at the Business Teacher National Conference on 19 June…

Video Case Study - Roadside Markets

I wonder whether we might see the emergence of more of these kinds of market as we experience a deep recession.  This video clip describes how entrepreneurial stallholders are building a decent retail business in the fruit and vegetable market - by opening a market on the roadside.  A good example of local markets in action (AQA Unit 1) and it goes onto explain how the produce & prices on offer are enabling the entrepreneurs to build quite a loyal customer base.

Download student worksheet & video link

Is this a good business idea, or a passing fad?

I came across this interesting short video clip on BBC South-East this week about a couple of teachers who have set up a new enterprise named “Passing Buys"…

Start-up case Study: Firefly Tonics

An excellent case study in enterprise from the Sunday Times last week focused on a business trying to establish itself in the highly competitive drinks market…

Start-ups & the importance of business planning

Thanks to Tim Mason for the “heads-up” on a superb new resource.  A new five-week series in the Sunday Times enterprise section looks like it will be essential reading for Business teachers and students.  The series kicks off with an article showcasing the role of business planning and market research in a series of start-ups…

2008 Business Teacher Conference Report - Divine Chocolate

Everything I had read about Divine Chocolate and its inspirational MD Sophi Tranchell suggested that we were in for a treat at the Business Teacher Conference 2008. However, even I was taken by surprise by the sheer energy and passion exuded by Sophi as she got our conference off to a stunning start.  Here are a few personal observations and a download link for Sophi’s excellent presentation on Divine Chocolate…

Hot Seat takes its place at the home of football

Students visiting a very famous football stadium will now be putting themselves in The Hot Seat. as part of their studies.

Latest edition of Latte Magazine is Published on Friday!

Issue 4 of Latte Magazine, our free print magazine for Business, Economics & Enterprise teachers is now at the printers and should be sent out later next week.  Take a sneak preview at the contents and order your copy here!

Startups find success with a green ethic

Rachel Bridge writes some superb pieces in her enterprise column for The Sunday Times.  I really liked Rachel’s piece a couple of weekends ago which took a look at how a selection of successful startups embraced environmentally-friendly and ethical trading at the core of their activities.

Two leading entrepreneurs to speak at Business Teacher National Conference 2008

The Business Teacher National Conference is the must-attend CPD event for all business teachers and 2008 is shaping up to be the best ever.

Young Entrepreneur of the Year Fraser Doherty is joined by Divine Chocolate CEO Sophi Tranchell to provide some fascinating insights into business startups and social enterprise.

http://www.tutor2u.net/acatalog/Business-Teacher-National-Conference-July-2008.html

Is Business Education in unhealthy decline?

Buried within recent BBC headlines about falling trainee teacher numbers in core subjects was the alarming statistic that the number of applicants for Business Studies has plummeted.

What may have caused this?  Granted, it does not include the figures for GTP applicants (many of whom will have industry experience and perhaps require the salary to transition into teaching) but in the era of Dragons Den, The Apprentice, Business & Enterprise Colleges, Work Related Learning and Personal Finance Education such a figure is at the very least worthy of note.  So is this just a blip? A quick analysis of the same figures for the previous three years, reveals a rise of 0.3% and falls of 8.28% and 0.3% respectively which doesn’t suggest an immediate crisis, but perhaps the beginning of the thin edge of the wedge?

Well, as a former head of Business & Enterprise Faculty in a specialist school, I am only too aware of the problems of recruiting and retaining quality business teachers. However, it seems I am not alone and following a discussion with several Heads of Business across the country, many tried to diagnose the various ills of Business Education from their staff, which in their opinion is giving rise to the 29% ‘symptom’: